Mathis, Shepherd and Anderson make an positive impression on Day 8

The Denver Broncos had their longest day of training camp on Thursday. After a “jog through” on Wednesday, the team was back in full pads and ready to work.

The energy was much better than it was the previous day. Sure, they got mental reps on Wednesday but on Thursday they got mentally and physically challenged.

Here are some of my notes from day eight of training camp.

***

New WR, Big Plays

With the loss of wide receiver Tim Patrick for the season, the Broncos needed to add another player at the position. On Thursday it was announced they added free agent Darrius Shepherd, formerly of the Green Bay Packers. He’s worked under Nathaniel Hackett before, and it was obvious that Shepherd knew what to do.

Shepherd’s first play in team drills went for a long touchdown. Quarterback Josh Johnson dropped back and launched a pretty pass down the field on the first rep of the second team, and Shepherd ran under the pass for a perfectly timed score. Shepherd wasn’t done there. He was getting some first-team reps and getting targeted by Russell Wilson as practice went on. I think Shepherd is a camp body, but he’s certainly angling to make the practice squad at least. I don’t think you could have had a better day one than Shepherd did on Thursday.

***

Stepping It Up

I thought the Broncos got a tremendous value when they selected linebacker Baron Browning in the third-round last year. I graded him as an outside linebacker, but the Broncos moved him to inside linebacker in 2021 due to injury. I was elated this offseason when it was revealed that Browning would be moving back to outside linebacker in 2022.

Browning got first team reps on Thursday, and he did a good job of rushing the passer. There was one play where fullback/tight end Andrew Beck got the best of him, but mostly Browning showed good instincts for getting after the quarterback.

Browning is fast, and he’s smart, so he rarely overruns a play. He’s the type of player who can be moved from the right side to the left, and that’s something the defense did on Thursday. When Randy Gregory is healthy, Browning will be a reserve player behind him. However, if he needs to play more I think Browning can star for the Broncos.

***

Lock It In?

I think Calvin Anderson is the starting right tackle for the Broncos regardless of who is healthy. Billy Turner was added to be the starting right tackle, but he has yet to practice with the team due to injury. In the meantime, Anderson has been filling in – and I think he’s solidified himself as one of the best five linemen on the team.

Anderson is smart, and he is perfectly made for this offense. He’s an athletic player who can mirror pass-rushers, and pass-protection is the best part of his game. Anderson is better at left tackle, and perhaps his future is at that position. However, he’s doing a good job learning the right side and standing out. Anderson is not just okay, I think he’s played outstanding during training camp.

***

Mathis Making Plays

One of my favorite rookies for the Broncos this year is cornerback Damarri Mathis. A fourth-round pick out of Pitt in the 2022 NFL Draft, Mathis was a player I saw as a value pick for the Broncos. Mathis is a smart player who always finds his way to the ball.

That’s coming through on the practice field with the Broncos. Mathis made good plays to knock passes away more than once on Thursday. With shoulder pads on, Mathis seems to make more plays. Mathis is the type of player who is a physical presence on the field. There is no live tackling in practice (some of the best parts of his game come from tackling), but you can tell that Mathis feels at home in full gear. He’s getting more comfortable with the jump to the pros he’s experiencing, and Mathis will be a developmental player worth monitoring for the Broncos.

***

Russ Cooks in the Microwave

The mantra for the Broncos this year is “Let Russ Cook,” but things have been a little stale on the Broncos offense so far over a week of practice. That all changed on Thursday, and it changed when the Broncos were in the two-minute offense. Many people have been concerned about this Broncos offense, but I’m more of a person who says patience is needed when examining what this team could be on that side of the ball.

Wilson looked good when time was a factor. With the clock winding down in practice, Wilson was able to move the ball on offense with efficiency. He looked like the quarterback everyone expected (at least in Broncos Country) in this type of drill. The Broncos are approaching practice differently this season. In a normal practice drill, Wilson has looked solid yet unspectacular. However, when he had to move the ball in a short amount of time Wilson did a great job.

***

Follow @CecilLammey